New Road Bike ...Palms are Killing ME.....??
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New Road Bike ...Palms are Killing ME.....??
Just got an 05' Specialized Sequoia off an auction ($500 , mint)and am trying to do fit work myself(yes, it's a money issue). This is my first drop bike in 20+ years and I like riding upright as I can get. I've got everything else dialed in but my hands and palms are killing me after just a mile or two.
I get the sense that most of my weight is on my arms and hands (I know that's not true , but there is too much weight on my bars).
Any ideas or sites that I can get some tips on self-sizing ?
I get the sense that most of my weight is on my arms and hands (I know that's not true , but there is too much weight on my bars).
Any ideas or sites that I can get some tips on self-sizing ?
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Inspect your seat angle. If it's nose-down, it's going to slide you towards the handlebars, making you push back with your... palms. Set the seat level, or even nose-up a little, and try it like that.
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Like me, the bike might be too big for you. I have the same issue, and I've come to realize that it doesn't matter if I change the seat angles or move it further up. I have even replaced the neck on the bike to try to get the handlebars closer to me, but my wrists still hurt. They don't hurt when I go a size down.
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Try consciously to relax your shoulders. Sometimes your shoulders tense up, and that seems to put more weight on your hands. Also make sure your elbows are not locked -- they should be nicely flexed. Sitting back a bit, or perhaps tilting the seat a notch, is a good idea as well. Persevere.
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Originally Posted by Boudicca
Try consciously to relax your shoulders. Sometimes your shoulders tense up, and that seems to put more weight on your hands. Also make sure your elbows are not locked -- they should be nicely flexed. Sitting back a bit, or perhaps tilting the seat a notch, is a good idea as well. Persevere.
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This weekend I switched from a slightly too small MTB that I was using as a road bike to a better fitting larger road bike. The MTB was a flat bar and the new bike is standard drop. I had the same problem as you on the old bike, but the new bike eliminated all of that for me. As the other people said work with adjustments, move your seat back and experiment with the angle. Also try some different bar heights, it is not an exact science but you can get it right. Last resort - go to the LBS and ask for help.
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I agree with the poster who said that the frame may be too big for you. When a frame fits, you can ride along with zero (and I mean zero) pressure on your hands and wrists by applying the slightest tension to your lower back. Even when leaning forward, the pressure isn't painful.
If your frame is too large, though, you end up with a great deal of weight on your arms and wrists. This is because the seat is too far back. Changing the seat position ruins your pedaling efficiency, and usually still doesn't get enough weight off your wrists. The problem isn't the handlebars, it's the frame.
Even a two cm difference in frame size can be significant. I had a 58 cm frame that fit me perfectly and (not appreciating what I had), I sold it. The 60 cm frame that I got instead has never been anywhere near as comfy, despite numerous stem and seat changes.
If your frame is too large, though, you end up with a great deal of weight on your arms and wrists. This is because the seat is too far back. Changing the seat position ruins your pedaling efficiency, and usually still doesn't get enough weight off your wrists. The problem isn't the handlebars, it's the frame.
Even a two cm difference in frame size can be significant. I had a 58 cm frame that fit me perfectly and (not appreciating what I had), I sold it. The 60 cm frame that I got instead has never been anywhere near as comfy, despite numerous stem and seat changes.
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Originally Posted by FarHorizon
I agree with the poster who said that the frame may be too big for you. When a frame fits, you can ride along with zero (and I mean zero) pressure on your hands and wrists by applying the slightest tension to your lower back. Even when leaning forward, the pressure isn't painful.
If your frame is too large, though, you end up with a great deal of weight on your arms and wrists. This is because the seat is too far back. Changing the seat position ruins your pedaling efficiency, and usually still doesn't get enough weight off your wrists. The problem isn't the handlebars, it's the frame.
Even a two cm difference in frame size can be significant. I had a 58 cm frame that fit me perfectly and (not appreciating what I had), I sold it. The 60 cm frame that I got instead has never been anywhere near as comfy, despite numerous stem and seat changes.
If your frame is too large, though, you end up with a great deal of weight on your arms and wrists. This is because the seat is too far back. Changing the seat position ruins your pedaling efficiency, and usually still doesn't get enough weight off your wrists. The problem isn't the handlebars, it's the frame.
Even a two cm difference in frame size can be significant. I had a 58 cm frame that fit me perfectly and (not appreciating what I had), I sold it. The 60 cm frame that I got instead has never been anywhere near as comfy, despite numerous stem and seat changes.
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Do some exercises to improve the stomach and shoulder muscles. The core body muscles should be holding your body over the cranks, not your arms and hands. Put your bars level with the seat. The distance from nose of saddle to bars should be equal to forearm from elbow to finger tips + width of hand across the knuckles.
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Great ideas ... I hate to think I've done all this shopping and got the wrong size. Such is life . But it's nice to hear that I shouldn't hurt . At least I don't have that much in this bike to kill me. I hate going to the LBS's because once I've paid, it's mine ... no returns .
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Originally Posted by wrh_roger
Great ideas ... I hate to think I've done all this shopping and got the wrong size. Such is life . But it's nice to hear that I shouldn't hurt . At least I don't have that much in this bike to kill me. I hate going to the LBS's because once I've paid, it's mine ... no returns .
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Originally Posted by wrh_roger
I hate going to the LBS's because once I've paid, it's mine ... no returns .
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Are you wearing gloves? Good cycling gloves can protect the nerves running through your palms, and stop some pain/discomfort. This is more noticeable when you have a rough ride (thin high pressure tyres) or handlebars significantly lower than the saddle.
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I had the same problem. my motobecane mirage road bike is a bit big for me, but i worked around it. I replaced the bar tape for cork tape and under it some padding. I wear good cycling gloves (do not get cheap ones - you'll be wasting yoour money) with gel padding... It really helps, my commute is only 45 min. each way, so I do not get sore, but when I go on longer rides I do feel some discomfort...
good luck!
good luck!
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I just bought a 61cm Sequoia Elite. Too big for me but I like the feel of a larger bike. It came with a 130mm stem but I have repeatedly gone back to the store and they have switched me out from a 110 to a 100 to a 90. The 90mm also has an 18 degree rise (the others were 14). Bingo - it's now all good. The hand pressure is pretty much gone. Not as good as my North Road bars, tho. The handling doesn't seem to have changed much. Besides, the Sequoia is not a 'crisp' handler anyway. You don't need your chin over the axle . It's all about going forward. Pretty relaxed.
If I were the OP, I'd still try to shorten that reach and take some weight off. Set the saddle level with the tops. Rotate the bars up a little so the hoods are level with the ground - not below the tops.
If I were the OP, I'd still try to shorten that reach and take some weight off. Set the saddle level with the tops. Rotate the bars up a little so the hoods are level with the ground - not below the tops.
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Persevering in the hope that the pain gets bearable is one way. My way is to figure that the alleged benefits of dropped bars weren't worth the discomfort. Depends on how badly you want to be more efficient or look the look; and is it that important to you.
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